Jobs fair at Balmer Lawn Hotel to tackle New Forest staff shortage

A JOBS fair will be held later this month to help fill the recruitment gap facing businesses in the New Forest.

As reported in the A&T, firms from the hospitality sector, in particular, are suffering shortages of people able to work as lockdown restrictions ease and venues open up.

The Tourism Jobs Fayre will be hosted at Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brockenhurst on Wednesday 23rd June from midday to 8pm.

The event has been organised by local tourism group Go New Forest, whose chief executive, Anthony Climpson, said: “Whilst the jobs crisis is a national issue, we’ve organised this jobs fair for our member businesses to showcase their own individual story and the benefits of working for them.

“The whole thing will be very relaxed, giving job seekers the chance to ask the questions they might shy away from in a formal interview.”

Hotels, pubs, restaurants, holiday parks and visitor attractions will showcase their job vacancies and promote the benefits of working in the visitor economy.

Hotels in the New Forest are facing an estimated 20% workforce shortage, which is 17% across the wider local tourism industry.

Previously Mr Climpson said the hospitality shutdown had forced employees to seek work elsewhere, and EU citizens had returned home following Brexit.

He warned some businesses had been unable to open fully due to the lack of recruits.

Visitors to the jobs fair, which had originally been scheduled for 15th June, will be able to quiz business representatives and employees about opportunities, career development and pay and benefits.

People can drop in at any time but must register first at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tourism-jobs-fayre-tickets-157828803199